DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 18, 2026

Coco Gauff

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

C. GAUFF/E. Mertens

2-6, 7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Coco, talk us through that third set.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, a lot of ups and downs the whole match. I'm happy that it's over (smiling).

Yeah, I'm trying to be positive. I'm critical. I feel like... I don't know. It's weird. I feel like the last tournament I took some steps forward, and today I feel like I took some steps backwards but still got the win. So it's a weird feeling.

I'm happy to get the result today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk about the second set tiebreak. I think it was three or four match points. Then you had a set point. You stayed composed during that when you could possibly not be sitting here right now.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I mean, I feel like it's almost easier to play when you're down than when you have the match in your hands. Yeah, I don't even remember the last time I've done that.

I don't know. I just wanted to give myself the chance today. I feel like my last two matches, not here, but the one in Doha and the one in the Australian Open, I feel like the second sets, I didn't feel like I fought enough for them.

This match, when I lost the first set, I really wanted to fight for that second and give myself the opportunity to compete in the third.

Q. What about feeling?

COCO GAUFF: My feeling? Well, right now I'm tired. I'm ready to go to sleep (smiling).

I don't know. I feel conflicted feelings. It wasn't the prettiest, but I'm also happy. I could have easily lost today, so...

Q. Next time maybe you're going to meet Eala. How are you going to prepare?

COCO GAUFF: I mean, I played a couple people in their home -- well, crowds are mainly for them. Jasmine in Rome, Boisson in Roland Garros. It won't be the first time.

I don't know. I feel like it's great for the sport to have this atmosphere. It's very fun, regardless if the crowd is for you or not.

Then obviously with her game, she's really a great, talented player. She's already beaten some top-10 players in straight sets.

If I were to play her, it will definitely be a tough match.

Q. Do wins like this give you the confidence for the rest of the tournament?

COCO GAUFF: Yes, I think for sure. I feel like I can only go up from here. Even if I don't get the result that I want in the next round, I think that it is positive considering last year around this time of the swing I didn't do well. I felt like I was in a rut. Going into this tournament, I felt those same feelings. I really wasn't the most positive with myself. I'm still not. But to get the result means a lot.

Q. Can you talk about the confidence required when your serve is not going to plan.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I don't know, it's been up and down. Just changing, trying to find what's right for me. In moments it feels great and I'm serving great; in moments, not really. I don't know. It's a long process.

Yeah, I felt like Australian Open I was serving really well. Doha, even though I lost in straight sets, still was serving pretty well. I don't know, this tournament I haven't been serving that well.

I don't know. I feel like knowing that I can serve well gives me confidence. I just need to figure out in these moments when it goes left how I can find it back and make it right.

Q. A question for fun. The Winter Olympics are going on now. If you could be a winter Olympian, what sport would you choose and why?

COCO GAUFF: That's a good question.

I feel like either speed skating, just 'cause, I don't know, it looks fun. Or figure skating just because I feel like flipping and all that, it looks so not easy, but they make it look so easy.

I don't know. Bobsledding. I feel like being the person to ride might be a little bit fun, too. It looks like a roller coaster, but I am sure it's not that.

Q. You're the first bobsledding answer.

COCO GAUFF: Really? I want to be the one riding (laughter).